Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did hear the GPs yesterday and I meet GPs regularly. I am aware of the genuine issues that the Deputy raises.

I wish to reiterate the Government's commitment to ensure that patients throughout the country continue to have access to quality GP services. The Department of Health, together with the HSE and the Irish College of General Practitioners, are committed to working together to improve recruitment and retention in general practice in coming years.

I will put the Deputy's two proposals on the pilot study and working with GPs to the Minister, Deputy Harris.

The goal of the current phase of the GP contract talks is to reform and modernise the existing GMS contract. This will be key in making general practice a more attractive career to young doctors.

In the case of GP services in Bangor Erris, I wish to reassure the Deputy that the HSE is taking all necessary steps to ensure that a new GP is recruited as soon as possible and that the locum arrangements will be in place to ensure services to this community are retained while the recruitment process is underway.

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